The Columbia Parks and Recreation Department is opening the 40-acre lake on the former Philips property tomorrow for fishing.

No swimming will be allowed at Philips Lake, which is north of Gans Road and west of Highway 63, but boating will be permitted. Non-motorized boats and boats with electric/battery trolling motors can be used as well. All boats must be carried to and from the waterside until a boat ramp is constructed, the city department said in a news release.

The city has received a $157,500 grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation to develop the area around the lake with features including an entrance road, parking lot, boat ramp, boat dock, restrooms, sidewalk and lighting.

State fishing regulations will apply, including daily fishing limits of six bass, four catfish, 30 crappie and 20 other fish combined.

The park will be open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and users are encouraged to park along Bristol Lake Parkway.

The lake is part of 140 acres the city is developing into a park in conjunction with the adjacent 380-acre Crane property, the site of the city’s southeast regional park.

More information is available online at gocolumbiamo.com or at 874-7460.